Consultant for feasibility study

Terms of Reference for Feasibility Study for a BMZ PT Project in Kenya

20th August 2024

1. Feasibility Study Summary

Program/Project, Project Number

Transitioning Vulnerable Refugee and Host Communities into Self-reliance and Resilience in Kakuma, Turkana West Sub-county, Kenya

Partner Organization

Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organization – (LOKADO)

Project start and end dates; phase of project if applicable

Start Date : 01st April 2025

End Date: 31st December 2027

Feasibility study purpose

To assess the feasibility of the above mentioned project and provide recommendations for its implementation based on the DAC Evaluation criteria

Commissioning organization/contact person

Johanniter International Assistance-Kenya Country Office: Jacinta Hurst/Allan Mbole

Feasibility study Team members (if known)

External Consulting team – to be recruited.

Primary Methodology

The feasibility study is to be designed and conducted as a county-specific desk study combined with interviews and field visits to potential implementation sites in the target County. The study shall use mixed methods including quantitative and qualitative methods.

Proposed Feasibility study Start and End Dates

Strictly between 23rd September 2024 to 31st October 2024 including incorporation of stakeholders’ feedback

Anticipated Feasibility study Report Release Date

31st October 2024

Recipient of Final Feasibility study Report

Johanniter International Assistance Kenya Country Office

2.Background of the feasibility study

Johanniter Unfall Hilfe (Johanniter) is a German-registered international NGO working in 17 countries in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia in development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, implementing and supporting projects worldwide. Johanniter has been working in Kenya with national implementing partners since 2011 in three key thematic areas of Health and Nutrition, Livelihoods and Emergency response, with Climate Change and Gender as cross-cutting themes in line with its global strategic approach. In Kenya, Johanniter has worked in Turkana, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Embu, Kiambu and Nairobi Counties, with plans to expand into Laikipia and Kajiado Counties. In collaboration with our partners, Johanniter has reached over 554,275 direct beneficiaries and 4,924,957 indirect beneficiaries through its programmes.

The proposing organization is:

Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organization – (LOKADO), a community-driven local organization formed by members from Lokichoggio, Oropoi and Kakuma divisions in 2003. The major driving factor was to contribute to addressing the cross border violent conflict experienced among the Turkana pastoralist and their neighbours from Uganda and South Sudan. The organization operated as a CBO until 2007 when it was registered as an NGO with the name ‘Lokichoggio, Oropoi and Kakuma Development Organization’. During this period, the organization had extended its’ activities to the entire county thus the need to re-brand to remain relevant in the county. In May 2015, they organisation re-branded to become LOKADO.

LOKADO strives to promote, enhance and develop the socio-economic environment and infrastructure by working towards poverty alleviation, improvement of household food security and attainment of cross border peaceful co-existence for better utilization of pastoral resources for sustainable livelihood and social justice and security interventions without arms.

3.Description of the project

Johanniter International Assistance in partnership with the LOKADO, proposes to implement integrated sustainable livelihood and advocacy project for the refugees and host communities living in Kakuma and Kalobeyei of Turkana County. Turkana County is among the poorest counties in Kenya, with poverty rate of 94.3% .The County is a host to Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlement which host more than 468,910 refugees and asylum seekers from Somalia, South Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia and other East Africa Countries[1]. This has resulted in socio-economic as well as environmental impacts on their immediate host surroundings. In addition to hosting such a large number of refugees, the county is predominantly marginal in environmental, agricultural and economical terms. Turkana County is characterized by unreliable and erratic rainfall as well as poor infrastructure. There are ongoing tensions between the refugees and the local community that has occasionally resulted in violence. Compared to the wider region, the camp has better health facilities and a higher percentage of children in full-time education, which has resulted in a general notion that the refugees are better off than the local population[2].

The potential for growth in Turkana County lie in the relationship and collaborative initiatives between host communities and refugees but many lack relevant education and skills. Women are less likely to be entrepreneurs than men, and their businesses are more likely to be informal and have less investment. This is attributed to the patriarchal practices and the marginalization women face[3].

Communities hosting refugees, more often than not, inhabit marginal areas which are characterized as underdeveloped, underserved, and environmentally fragile. In these areas, basic social services and economic infrastructures are either absent altogether or poorly developed. The dependence for fuel wood, construction timber, grazing and water (for both humans and animals) on already degraded natural resources contributes to rapid environmental degradation thereby worsening the situation. In addition, with many of the area being fragile and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, protracted displacement further exacerbates the situation. Refugees and host communities (during times of food insecurity) are dependent on relief food which in most cases is not sufficient.

The proposed project goal is to build sustainable livelihoods to help refugees and host communities cope and build their resilience by developing activities that improve the productivity of both traditional and non-traditional livelihoods, including through diversification of livelihoods and income generation in these difficult locales.

The proposed project is an initiative by Johanniter International Assistance and LOKADO. The main objective of the project idea is to move 6,000 people from dependence on external food assistance to sustainable livelihoods and food security through a graduation approach that includes vocational skills training, business start-up support, the promotion of income-generating activities and the introduction of climate-smart agriculture. The project is built on many years of experience of both organizations in helping the communities to become more self-sufficient.

Refugees and host communities in Kenya face limited livelihood opportunities due to climate change, inadequate resources, and structural poverty. This has been exacerbated by the reduction in support from implementing partners and donors in recent years. It is against this backdrop that the project aims to build on previous measures to strengthen the resilience of these communities, with a focus on empowering women, youth, and people with disabilities through integrated livelihoods, protection measures, and psychosocial support.

4. Purpose of the Feasibility Study

The feasibility study will provide information and justifications for the project which will be used for project design. It is envisaged that the study will provide input on how to address inadequate livelihoods opportunities as a result of the effects to climate change, inadequate resources and structural poverty in the host and refugee communities in Kakuma, Turkana County.

The study findings should provide an overview of the key areas and context in consideration of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability dimensions and support to fill identified data gaps

5. Objectives of the Study

Assess the current socio-economic conditions and access to livelihoods of refugees and host communities in Kakuma.

1. Assess the current socio-economic conditions and access to livelihoods of refugees and host communities in Kakuma.
2. Identify key challenges and opportunities related to livelihoods, food security, and resilience.
3. Evaluate the potential for vocational skills training and business start-up support.
4. Assess the feasibility of promoting income-generating activities and climate-smart agriculture in Kakuma, in both refugee and host communities.
5. Identify protection and psychosocial support needs, particularly for women, youth, and people with disabilities in Kakuma.
6. Assess whether proposed project actions are not duplicating but complementary to other efforts outside of this project in Kakuma, Turkana.
7. Assess the potential partner in terms of experience and capacity building needs of the expected project in Kakuma, Turkana County.
8. Develop a detailed project implementation plan, including risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies.

Based on the above, the study should assess as a second step:

-The feasibility of the project concept against the OECD/DAC criteria of relevance, coherence, efficiency, effectiveness, potential impact and sustainability.

-The inclusiveness of the project, i.e. the active participation of persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups such as women, the youth, the indigenous population and their representative organizations in all aspects of the project.

6. Feasibility study Questions

6.1 **Relevance-**To what extent is the planned project doing the right thing?

1. Analyze potential benefits from the project for the communities in target counties e.g. is the planned project useful to the target communities and beneficiaries?
2. To what extent are the project objectives relevant to the County and national government of Turkana priority needs, strategies, policy gaps and programmes?
3. To what extent will the planned project complement other interventions, including of the project partner and stakeholders, other development programmes or schemes?
4. Identify the core problem of the target population on inadequate livelihood opportunities due to climate change, inadequate resources, and structural poverty
5. Assess the relevance of the objective for the beneficiaries and defined problem;
6. Assess the soundness of the defined action in addressing the issue(s) identified.
7. To what extend is government (national and county) support for the project likely and / or necessary?
8. Assess capacity and experience of local partner organization in delivery of socio-economic and climate smart agriculture interventions in meeting the project goal.

6.2 **Coherence-**How is the intervention compatible with other interventions in the county and sector?

1. How does the planned project contribute to the strategies and programs of state and county government of Turkana or other organizations presented in the context analysis?
2. To what extent are there the synergies and linkages between the planned project and other interventions by the county government and other key humanitarian actors?

6.3 **Effectiveness-**which project technique best suited to achieve the project objectives?

1. Is the approach suitable to achieve the set purpose? Are alternatives necessary?
2. At which level (multi-level approach) are additional measures required to increase effectiveness to be envisaged?
3. Evaluate risks/factors that may hamper the planned project from achieving the set outcome(s).
4. Evaluate the management practices that may derail the project or promote the project; what can be done differently, continued or stopped to ensure likely achievement of project intentions.

6.4 Efficiency or cost-effectiveness

1. Ascertain and provide rationale for resources needed to deliver the proposed interventions.
2. Assess if the stated objectives can be achieved within the given time frame.
3. What would the general outline of an appropriate management and coordination structure for an efficient project set up look like in the respective county and for overall programme steering?
4. Make recommendations for ensuring efficiency of project implementation.

6.5 Impact – Contribution to change

1. Assesses the positive and negative consequences of the project activities, direct and indirect, intended and unintended.
2. Quantify and qualify the likely life changes to the target population that can be attributable to the project or the project can contribute to.
3. Ascertain the likely positive and negative, intended or unintended, political, socioeconomic and environmental effects of the proposed project.

6.6 **Sustainability -**How the intervention will continue to deliver benefits for an extended period of time after completion. The project need to be environmentally as well as financially and socially sustainable.

1. Identify opportunities for livelihoods system strengthening and make them inclusive in a sustainable way.
2. Clarify what role/responsibility will be assumed of County government, JIA, LOKADO and the refugees and host communities. To what extend can local potentials, structures and processes be developed and strengthened? Which measures and instruments are best suited in utilizing and strengthening local initiatives, community participation and capacities?
3. Evaluate the clarity of the exit strategy and its potential to allow for a smooth transition of responsibilities.
4. Assess what risks (personnel risks for the implementing parties, institutional and reputational risks, context risks) exist during the project implementation and how can they be minimized?
5. Assess the extent to which technical, financial, social sustainability can be assured beyond project life-cycle.

6.7 Safeguarding

1. Assess to what extent safeguarding mechanisms have been considered for integration into the planned project and propose ways safeguarding can be strengthened.
2. Evaluate feedback and complaints systems that are foreseen

1.The Methodology

The feasibility study is to be designed and conducted through a participatory process combining both quantitative and qualitative methods at the local level. Some of the methodologies may include but are not limited to the following:

• Literature/secondary data review: literature review and analysis of existing data which includes review of data from end-line survey conducted by JIA in 2024 in Kakuma, County Integrated Development Plan etc.
• Focus group discussions and key informant interviews with focal representatives from the County government of Turkana, related Ministries, local NGOs and INGOs, community leaders and members among others.
• Household surveys to gather quantitative data on livelihood activities, income levels, food security status, and access to resources (this list is not exhaustive).
• Planning workshop with internal and external stakeholders to adopt the report and review the project design documents.

The Consultant is expected to use a variety of methods to collect and analyse data. Participatory methods should be used to collect qualitative and quantitative data. The Consultant shall indicate the methodology he/she intends to use in his/her proposal.

2.Deliverables and schedule

• Inception Report: Outlining the methodology, work plan, timeline and proposed data collection tools and feasibility study questions matrix(matching feasibility study questions with data collection tools);
• Interim Report: Summary of preliminary findings from the desk review and field research.
• Draft Feasibility Study Report: Detailed analysis and findings, including recommendations and a draft implementation plan.
• Presentation of findings in a validation workshop, with a power point presentation, highlighting main findings and recommendations.
• Final Feasibility Study Report: (max. 30 pages with annexes) incorporating feedback from stakeholders and presenting a comprehensive recommendations and plan for project implementation.

3. Duration of the Study

The feasibility study is expected to take place over a period of 6 weeks from the date of contract signing to final report presentation as detailed below. Key milestones include:

Deliverables vs Estimated No of Days

• Inception report + Tools of data collection -4days
• Identification and training of Data Collection enumerators and Actual data collection, including 2 travel days -8days
• Draft report writing -8days
• A presentation at validation stage -1day
• Final Report -1day

Total Number of Days – 25days

4. Qualifications of the Consultant/Team

The Feasibility study team/Consultant should have the following attributes among others:

• Relevant degree e.g. agriculture, social sciences, development studies etc
• Proven experience in conducting feasibility studies and evaluations for livelihood and resilience projects.
• Strong background in socio-economic research and analysis, particularly in refugee and host community settings.
• Expertise in vocational training, business development, and climate-smart agriculture.
• Understanding of protection and psychosocial support needs for vulnerable populations.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent track record in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation;
• Ability to provide strategic recommendations to key stakeholders;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including ability to facilitate and work in a multidisciplinary team;
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings;
• Ability to draw practical conclusions and to prepare well‐written reports in a timely manner and availability during the proposed period;

5. Terms of Payment

• Payments will be made based on agreed-upon deliverables on contracting.